***Official*** West Indies in Australia

[aussie]

teams i would like to see in the 1st test:

Australia:

Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Clarke
Watson
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
McGrath
Tait

West Indies:

Gayle
Dev Smith
Sarwan
Lara
Chanderpaul
Hinds
Bravo
Ramdin
Collins
Edwards
Collymore/Best or Lawson

For Australia they have got to start grooming Watson has an all-rounder now for sure, with Pigeon & Warne at the end of their career Australia are going to have to move away from the idea of having 4 specialist bowlers. Hopefully he can have some good all-round performances for Aus A & get the selectors nod...

For the windies i reckon this is their best team but they will still lose (no offence to windies fans but i'm sure u agree)

 

[howardj]

teams i would like to see in the 1st test:

Australia:

Langer
Hayden
Ponting
Martyn
Clarke
Watson
Gilchrist
Warne
Lee
McGrath
Tait

West Indies:

Gayle
Dev Smith
Sarwan
Lara
Chanderpaul
Hinds
Bravo
Ramdin
Collins
Edwards
Collymore/Best or Lawson

For Australia they have got to start grooming Watson has an all-rounder now for sure, with Pigeon & Warne at the end of their career Australia are going to have to move away from the idea of having 4 specialist bowlers. Hopefully he can have some good all-round performances for Aus A & get the selectors nod...

For the windies i reckon this is their best team but they will still lose (no offence to windies fans but i'm sure u agree)

It's a total mis-match. Frankly, I'd be shocked if it was anything other than 3-0. No better time to introduce someone Shane Watson into the team. I remember the late David Hookes stating, as far back as 2002, that while Australia were dominating they should be carrying a young guy like Watson in the Test team, as an investment for the future. Anyway, it took Flintoff a couple of years to come good. I'm confident that if they show some faith in Watson, it will be rewarded ten fold. Also, as mentioned by Junior Waugh in the papers this morning, don't be surprised if Nathan Bracken plays in the first Test at the Gabba.

 

[aussie]

Anyway, it took Flintoff a couple of years to come good. I'm confident that if they show some faith in Watson, it will be rewarded ten fold.

Also, as mentioned by Junior Waugh in the papers this morning, don't be surprised if Nathan Bracken plays in the first Test at the Gabba.

1. Word

2. I dont know about that mate, i'd be extremely surprised if Bracken played at the Gabba dawg..

 

[Woody_cloudofsm]

mate grooming watson as an allrounder u gotts be joking odi bolwing average of 45 after a hell of a lot of matches he couldnt run through any batting lineup, what we need is someone who can win a game with both bat and ball for you like freddie and if we look at our first class system there isnt that many of those players comeing through so australia is in trouble.
Also as captain of my team i and a seamer i tell all my players to watch correy collymore and his beutiful seam position he is a poor mans mcgrath how rapid was he in his early days before all his stress fractures really nippy he would have been one of the greats if he still ahd that extra pace he is a workhorse and will bowl all day if he isnt on tour west indies dun have a chnace of drawing a test because all teh other seamers will leak a hell of a lot of run except if pedro can curve the ball back in to the right handers heel be a handful. My teams for the games.

Aus
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Clark
Gilchrist
Symonds( its not gonna happen aussie selectors will go for watson)
Warne
Lee
Bracken
Hogg(bit of variety he scored 70 in a onedayer against england first class batting average of 29 left arm chinamen from hogg is played poorly by the windies and england underrated cricketer) left arm swing bowler in bracken great idea

Windies

Hinds
Gayle
Sarwan
Lara
Chanderpaul
Ramdin
Bravo
Banks
Collins
Edwards
Collymore
Lawson, Devon Smith 12th man u can include them if the situation suits

 

[tassietiger]

What more does Simon Katich have to do. He responds well whenever faced with adversity, and for some strange reason, nobody gives him credit. I don't see why he was supposedly going to be the one dropped for MacGill in the last Test when Marto and Haydos.

And the exact opposite for Damien Martyn. He does nothing when the team needs him to, and is as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike in general. His timing might be fantastically perfect, but he still hasn't got a clue when it comes to shot selection. Hayden's been a bit crap, but he's still a very likeable cricketer and a great catcher. Drop Marto.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

What more does Simon Katich have to do. He responds well whenever faced with adversity, and for some strange reason, nobody gives him credit. I don't see why he was supposedly going to be the one dropped for MacGill in the last Test when Marto and Haydos.

And the exact opposite for Damien Martyn. He does nothing when the team needs him to, and is as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike in general. His timing might be fantastically perfect, but he still hasn't got a clue when it comes to shot selection. Hayden's been a bit crap, but he's still a very likeable cricketer and a great catcher. Drop Marto.

What's with you calling for people to be dropped or retained with no reference to actual form at all?

I'm as big a fan of Katich as anyone, but the fact is he's played 20 odd tests now and still hasn't cemented his place. Yes, he was mistreated by being dropped for Symonds in Sri Lanka and then so Lehmann could be retained during the home summer, but he was quite disappointing in the Ashes series, and it's becoming increasingly obvious that Watson needs to be given a run in the team. If he is, a batsman has to go.

As far as Martyn is concerned, did you think he was useless in India and Sri Lanka last year? Or during the home summer? He's had one poor series, give him a break. Katich has also had one poor series but a) he's a less senior member of the team, and b) his form prior to the poor series was not as impressive.

Hayden won't be dropped because he saved his career with a century at The Oval. Langer won't be dropped. Ponting won't be dropped. Martyn had a poor Ashes series but has done enough in the past to warrant his inclusion through a form slump. Clarke had a good Ashes series and is the youngest member of the team and will be retained with an eye to the future. Katich is the logical man to go.

Anyway, my team would be the same as aussie's, with Hayden on notice for Hussey should he continue to fail.

 

[Linda]

What more does Simon Katich have to do. He responds well whenever faced with adversity, and for some strange reason, nobody gives him credit. I don't see why he was supposedly going to be the one dropped for MacGill in the last Test when Marto and Haydos.

And the exact opposite for Damien Martyn. He does nothing when the team needs him to, and is as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike in general. His timing might be fantastically perfect, but he still hasn't got a clue when it comes to shot selection. Hayden's been a bit crap, but he's still a very likeable cricketer and a great catcher. Drop Marto.

Surely Tasmanians have some sort of intelligence?

Having said that, I dont think Katich should be dropped, but he most certainly doesnt "respond whenever faced with adversity". He fails just as much as they next guy under pressure.

As for the rest... I cant even be bothered to credit it with a response.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

The fact is, the best hope for the Australian team right now is to get a batsman who can bowl a few solid, tight overs in there. With Lee and Tait in the team and McGrath getting on, they need another guy who can bowl an economical spell without having to charge in and bowl at 95mph in order to allow Tait and Lee to bowl brief, aggressive spells as they are most suited to. Watson's improving all the time with the bat, and if he comes out of the A tour in decent form with the ball there's no reason not to give him a summer as a batting all-rounder. If he justifies his position with the bat (which I believe he can) it doesn't matter if he bowls poorly for a time, but if he bowls decently it will be a huge boost to the team in terms of flexibility.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

The fact is, the best hope for the Australian team right now is to get a batsman who can bowl a few solid, tight overs in there..

Ponting.

 

[greg]

Collymore has the potential to be a mighty fine bowler, and after being desperately unlucky against England in Windies looked to be finally finding the right length to take a lot of wickets, just before the whole contracts fiasco blew up. Should be the first bowling name on the Windian teamsheet.

 

[andyc]

mate grooming watson as an allrounder u gotts be joking odi bolwing average of 45 after a hell of a lot of matches he couldnt run through any batting lineup, what we need is someone who can win a game with both bat and ball for you like freddie and if we look at our first class system there isnt that many of those players comeing through so australia is in trouble.
Also as captain of my team i and a seamer i tell all my players to watch correy collymore and his beutiful seam position he is a poor mans mcgrath how rapid was he in his early days before all his stress fractures really nippy he would have been one of the greats if he still ahd that extra pace he is a workhorse and will bowl all day if he isnt on tour west indies dun have a chnace of drawing a test because all teh other seamers will leak a hell of a lot of run except if pedro can curve the ball back in to the right handers heel be a handful. My teams for the games.

Aus
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Clark
Gilchrist
Symonds( its not gonna happen aussie selectors will go for watson)
Warne
Lee
Bracken
Hogg(bit of variety he scored 70 in a onedayer against england first class batting average of 29 left arm chinamen from hogg is played poorly by the windies and england underrated cricketer) left arm swing bowler in bracken great idea

Ummm... McGrath?

Personally, I wouldn't mind seeing
Langer
Hayden (if he doesn't make 50+ in the first game, then out for someone else- Hussey or Jaques, maybe)
Ponting
Martyn
Clarke
Gilchrist
Watson
Warne
Lee
Bracken
McGrath

Edit: just realised I forgot Katich, so I guess either Hayden or Watson out for him.

 

[Woody_cloudofsm]

good on u greg u said it took the words out of my mouth Corey Running around covering his eyes after knowcking over the aussie batsman will be a site to see.

 

[Mister Wright]

Stand 67 as usual Kyle?

Maybe, haven't got my tickets yet.

 

[Mister Wright]

If Watson plays, Australia should go with Warne and MacGill. Start with an attack of McGrath, Lee, Watson, Warne & MacGill. Put Lee on notice, he is yet to average under 30 in a calendar year since his 7th test, if he continues to average high 30s or 40s, time to dtich him from the test team forever and give Tait a full go.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

If Watson plays, Australia should go with Warne and MacGill. Start with an attack of McGrath, Lee, Watson, Warne & MacGill. Put Lee on notice, he is yet to average under 30 in a calendar year since his 7th test, if he continues to average high 30s or 40s, time to dtich him from the test team forever and give Tait a full go.

I disagree. It's worth persisting with both Tait and Lee if you have Watson in the team. Play Macgill if it's a dead flat deck by all means, but play both Tait and Lee at first, as they are the future of the Australian attack. Watson helps with Macgill by giving a third seam option, but he also helps with Tait and Lee by adding an extra seamer who can bowl longer spells and be reasonably economical, which Tait and Lee probably cannot.

 

[andyc]

I disagree. It's worth persisting with both Tait and Lee if you have Watson in the team. Play Macgill if it's a dead flat deck by all means, but play both Tait and Lee at first, as they are the future of the Australian attack. Watson helps with Macgill by giving a third seam option, but he also helps with Tait and Lee by adding an extra seamer who can bowl longer spells and be reasonably economical, which Tait and Lee probably cannot.

I imagine MacGill will only play at the SCG

 

[marc71178]

Aus
Hayden
Langer
Ponting
Martyn
Clark
Gilchrist
Symonds( its not gonna happen aussie selectors will go for watson)
Warne
Lee
Bracken
Hogg(bit of variety he scored 70 in a onedayer against england first class batting average of 29 left arm chinamen from hogg is played poorly by the windies and england underrated cricketer) left arm swing bowler in bracken great idea

Sorry is that meant to be a Test XI?

In which case, why no McGrath but a bowler who I believe averages over 40 is in instead?!

 

[Mister Wright]

I disagree. It's worth persisting with both Tait and Lee if you have Watson in the team. Play Macgill if it's a dead flat deck by all means, but play both Tait and Lee at first, as they are the future of the Australian attack. Watson helps with Macgill by giving a third seam option, but he also helps with Tait and Lee by adding an extra seamer who can bowl longer spells and be reasonably economical, which Tait and Lee probably cannot.

Nah, I can't agree with that. If Lee is going to continue to go through series averaging very high, you need to have someone in there who is going to take wickets. MacGill is a wicket taker, and I'm sure Pontiing would have loved to have him on the last day during the 5th test considering Lee was leaking runs and Tait only bowled 5 overs.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Nah, I can't agree with that. If Lee is going to continue to go through series averaging very high, you need to have someone in there who is going to take wickets. MacGill is a wicket taker, and I'm sure Pontiing would have loved to have him on the last day during the 5th test considering Lee was leaking runs and Tait only bowled 5 overs.

If Lee is going to continue going through series averaging very high, they shouldn't be playing him. The idea of playing him is that he's showed signs that he's improving and, confronted with some more helpful pitches and with a bit of fortune, may well average less next time. You don't pick a guy assuming they'll do badly.

Watson is there as a foil for the seamers who can only bowl short spells, or to allow for a second spinner. I think the first one is how they should be playing him now, with an eye to the future when guys like Tait will need to be regulars.

 

[Mister Wright]

If Lee is going to continue going through series averaging very high, they shouldn't be playing him. The idea of playing him is that he's showed signs that he's improving and, confronted with some more helpful pitches and with a bit of fortune, may well average less next time. You don't pick a guy assuming they'll do badly.

Watson is there as a foil for the seamers who can only bowl short spells, or to allow for a second spinner. I think the first one is how they should be playing him now, with an eye to the future when guys like Tait will need to be regulars.

I agree. We don't need a bowler who is only going to bowl well when conditions suit, we need a bowler for all occasions, and AFAIC Lee isn't that bowler. MacGill has a superior record to Lee and whether he be a spinner or quick it shouldn't matter, if we are going to play Watson we can think be more flexible with our bowling attacks chosen.